Tweet
The Los Angeles Chargers entered the 2018 NFL Draft in with the stated goal of upgrading their defense. More specifically, they wanted to improve the run defense and give defensive coordinator Gus Bradley more options in matching up with opposing tight ends. And, even if they didn’t want to say it out loud, they had to be focused on scaling back the roles of Kyle Emanuel, Hayes Pullard, and Adrian Phillips.
In adding Derwin James, Uchenna Nwosu, Justin Jones and Kyzir White, the Chargers made a concerted effort to upgrade the first two levels of their defense. They improved the tackling, gave themselves more attractive options in defending opposing tight ends, found an ascending option at OTTO capable of rushing the passer and providing value in coverage, and added two of the best blitzers in the draft class. And, in the process, they all but eliminated the need to rely on Emmanuel, Pullard, and Phillips.
Mission accomplished.
Let’s take a quick look at each of the Chargers first four picks, examining how
More...
In adding Derwin James, Uchenna Nwosu, Justin Jones and Kyzir White, the Chargers made a concerted effort to upgrade the first two levels of their defense. They improved the tackling, gave themselves more attractive options in defending opposing tight ends, found an ascending option at OTTO capable of rushing the passer and providing value in coverage, and added two of the best blitzers in the draft class. And, in the process, they all but eliminated the need to rely on Emmanuel, Pullard, and Phillips.
Mission accomplished.
Let’s take a quick look at each of the Chargers first four picks, examining how
More...